Best Wineries in Boise and the Snake River Valley

Photo credit: Huston Vineyards Set in the perfect climate of the Snake River Valley, the Sunnyslope wine region has been producing award-winning, delicious wines for decades. With vineyards and wineries only minutes from each other, this region is a wine lovers paradise. Tasting rooms feature beautiful views and unique atmospheres, complimenting the wine perfectly. Whether you are a wine aficionado or you simply want to enjoy a few glasses, these wineries are the best Boise and the Snake River Valley has to offer.   Sawtooth Winery: Founded in 1987 by Charles Pintler, Sawtooth Winery has a long history as the most significant grape grower in the Snake River Valley. They have received national acclaim for their varietals, including their Riesling, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Merlot, and Tempranillo. The tasting room features stunning views of the vineyard and Snake River Valley, an idyllic environment to sit back, relax, and enjoy the award-winning, high-quality wines. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you can book a tasting ahead of time on their website. This vineyard is family-friendly and is about a 40-minute drive from Downtown Boise.  Photo credit: Sawtooth Winery   Hat Ranch Winery: Located in the heart of the Sunnyslope, Hat Ranch Winery prides itself on its handcrafted wines made solely from Idaho grapes. Hat Ranch’s wines are highly awarded, and in 2023 they won Best White, Best Chardonnay, Best Cabernet Sauvignon, and Best Malbec (check out the article here). Hat Ranch is open daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is just a 45-minute drive from Downtown Boise. The tasting rooms have a classy, rustic feel with a stunning view of the winery.  Photo credit: University of Idaho   Huston Vineyards: Winner of the 2023 Winery of the Year from Great Northwestern Wine, Huston Vineyards is an estate vineyard and artisan winery along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail in the Snake River Valley. The tasting room sits on Chicken Dinner Road with stunning views and outdoor seating in the warmer months. Reservations are encouraged, and Huston also hosts various fun events including movie nights and brunches. Check out their current schedule here. Photo credit: Huston Vineyards   Ste. Chappelle: Since its creation in 1975 Ste. Chappelle has been bringing a new luster to Idaho winemaking and is currently the largest winery in Idaho. Located in the Sunnyslope region of the Snake River Valley, Ste. Chappelle has a stunning tasting room with a design inspired by the famed Ste. Chappelle medivial gothic chappel in France. You can make tasting reservations on the website, and this winery is family-friendly. This beautiful winery transports you to another world while still being only 45 minutes from downtown Boise.  Photo credit: Ste. Chapelle   Split Rail Winery: This small production winery handmakes all its wines from grapes sourced from vineyards in the Pacific Northwest. Split Rail focuses on Rhone varietals, and they are constantly exploring new production techniques with the goal of never making the same wine twice. Located in Garden City, the tasting room is open 7 days a week and reservations are only needed for groups of over 6 people. The tasting room has a funky, techno vibe with outdoor seating for warmer months. Photo credit: Split Rail Winery   Telaya Wine Co: Telaya started in 2008 with a focus on creating the highest quality of handcrafted Idaho and Washington wines. Their full production space and tasting room sits right on the Boise Greenbelt, minutes from downtown Boise and feet from the Boise River. This beautiful atmosphere pairs perfectly with their wines. For those who are true wine lovers, they offer private tours and tastings that give you a behind-the-scenes look at how the wine-making process works. These tours are reservation only, while the tasting room is first come first served.  Photo credit: Telaya Wine Co.    

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